Social inequality in dynamic balance performance in an early old age Spanish population: The role of health and life style associated factors

TY - JOUR

T1 - Social inequality in dynamic balance performance in an early old age Spanish population: The role of health and life style associated factors

AU - Rodriguez Lopez, Santiago

AU - Nilsson, Charlotte Juul

AU - Lund, Rikke

AU - Montero, P

AU - Fernandez-Ballesteros, R

AU - Avlund, Kirsten

PY - 2012/3

Y1 - 2012/3

N2 - This study investigates the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and dynamic balance performance and whether lifestyle factors explained any possible associations. A total of 448 nondisabled individuals, age-range 54–75 years and enrolled in the Active Aging Longitudinal Study of Spain in 2006, constituted the study population. Baseline data of this cross-sectional study were obtained by personal interviews and objective measures of balance performance. The present study shows an educational gradient in poor dynamic balance, where individuals with no formal education had higher risk of poor balance, also after adjustment for age, gender, obesity and physical activity. In addition, obesity and sedentary physical activity were related to poor dynamic balance. The findings suggest an independent effect of both SES and behavioral factors on poor balance performance in the older Spanish population.

AB - This study investigates the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and dynamic balance performance and whether lifestyle factors explained any possible associations. A total of 448 nondisabled individuals, age-range 54–75 years and enrolled in the Active Aging Longitudinal Study of Spain in 2006, constituted the study population. Baseline data of this cross-sectional study were obtained by personal interviews and objective measures of balance performance. The present study shows an educational gradient in poor dynamic balance, where individuals with no formal education had higher risk of poor balance, also after adjustment for age, gender, obesity and physical activity. In addition, obesity and sedentary physical activity were related to poor dynamic balance. The findings suggest an independent effect of both SES and behavioral factors on poor balance performance in the older Spanish population.

U2 - 10.1016/j.archger.2011.11.004

DO - 10.1016/j.archger.2011.11.004

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22142494

SN - 0167-4943

VL - 54

SP - 139

EP - 145

JO - Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

JF - Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

IS - 2

ER -